WhatsApp to restrict features if you refuse Facebook data sharing

[silversurfer]

WhatsApp says that it will not delete or deactivate the accounts of users who oppose its latest privacy policy update that requires sharing data with Facebook companies.

The company backtracks on a previous decision that gave its users a harsh ultimatum to accept sharing their data with Facebook if they want to continue using their account or, as an alternative, to delete their accounts.

The policy updates pushed by WhatsApp since the start of 2021 show a 180-degree shift compared to last year's privacy policy that allowed users to choose not to have their account info shared with Facebook.

Facebook companies that can access WhatsApp users' data after this year's privacy changes include Facebook, Facebook Payments, Onavo, Facebook Technologies, and CrowdTangle.

"We may use the information we receive from them, and they may use the information we share with them, to help operate, provide, improve, understand, customize, support, and market our Services and their offerings, including the Facebook Company Products," WhatsApp explains.

Limited functionality instead of account deactivation​

WhatsApp published a new FAQ on its website, reinforcing the May 15th deadline to accept the new privacy changes and saying that "no one will have their accounts deleted or lose functionality" because of the policy update.

"We’ve spent the last several months providing more information about our update to users around the world," WhatsApp said in a statement.

"In that time, the majority of people who have received it have accepted the update and WhatsApp continues to grow."

Users will keep receiving reminders to accept sharing their data with Facebook for the next several weeks, reminders that will ultimately become persistent.

"At that time, you’ll encounter limited functionality on WhatsApp until you accept the updates," the company added.

As WhatsApp's statement details, users who will not accept the privacy updates will gradually see their accounts' functionality restricted:

• You won’t be able to access your chat list, but you can still answer incoming phone and video calls. If you have notifications enabled, you can tap on them to read or respond to a message or call back a missed phone or video call.
• After a few weeks of limited functionality, you won’t be able to receive incoming calls or notifications, and WhatsApp will stop sending messages and calls to your phone.

The company also highlighted the changes users should expect once the privacy policy update reminders become persistent, as shown below.

WhatsApp to restrict features if you refuse Facebook data sharing

WhatsApp says that it will not delete or deactivate the accounts of users who oppose its latest privacy policy update that requires sharing data with Facebook companies.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

 

[plat]

You will still lose functionaility "a few weeks later" if you refuse to share with Facebook? Smells like a form of blackmail, right? With eventually persistent nags, to boot. Obnoxious! So glad I'm not dependent on this crap. Isn't Life difficult enough?

 

[forgottenuser79643]

Unfortunately, I am still dependent on it. Everyone I have contact with is using it with no intentions of moving on. Even the onces like me that don't use social media and most whatever else is out there.

 

[Ink]

Now, in a new statement, the company has clarified that after speaking with governments and privacy advocates it won’t restrict any functionality, even if you don’t accept the policy for now:

Given recent discussions with various authorities and privacy experts, we want to make clear that we currently have no plans to limit the functionality of how WhatsApp works for those who have not yet accepted the update. Instead, we will continue to remind users from time to time about the update as well as when people choose to use relevant optional features, like communicating with a business that is receiving support from Facebook.​

In the future, this could change, but WhatsApp is trying to keep its user base, and governments around the world happy.

Update: WhatsApp says it won’t limit functionality if you refuse its privacy policy — for now